WNAMM13: Korg Digital Piano For Home Or Stage

The SP-280 makes its debut 24/01/13

Korg has announced the newest model in its series of Digital Pianos, the SP-280. THey say that it faithfully recreates the experience of playing a genuine Concert Grand in a beautifully designed digital piano that's ideal for use at home or on stage. Here's what Korg has to say about it in their own words...

With 30 sounds in total, plus customizable ambience effects, the SP-280 is versatile enough for a wide variety of applications. The optional pedal unit (PU-2) provides soft and sostenuto pedals in addition to the included damper pedal, completing the true piano playing experience. The SP-280 contains a high-output amplification and speaker system, but can also be connected to any amplification system via its dual ¼" outputs.

The SP-280 provides a playing feel that's extremely close to that of an acoustic piano by switching between four piano samples according to the dynamics of the player's performance. From delicate pianissimo to dynamic fortissimo, the sound will respond realistically to the player. In particular, the "Grand Piano" sound reproduces the damper resonance that is heard when the damper pedal of an acoustic piano is pressed. Special attention has also been paid to the high-quality, realistic electric piano sounds, which are period-accurate. These sounds reproduce not only the way in which the tone responds to the player's touch, but also the subtle noises that occur upon releasing a key. Six varieties are provided, covering the sounds widely used in the pop music of the '60s and '70s.

Included are 30 richly-expressive and high-quality sounds, including acoustic and electric pianos, organs, clavs, harpsichord, strings, and more. A Layer Mode layers two sounds together, and a Partner Mode divides the keyboard into left and right regions so that two people can play the same range of pitches. Two headphone jacks make it convenient for private lessons, or for two people to enjoy playing at the same time.

The Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) keyboard provides the same playing feel as an acoustic piano, with heavier action in the lower register and a lighter response upward into the higher register. The Key Touch Control function offers three levels of adjustment to specify how the playing dynamics will affect the output sound.

The SP-280 features two onboard amplifiers that deliver 2 x 22 Watts of output power––the highest in its class. They deliver a rich sound with deep lows and sparkling highs, with enough volume for a small live event without requiring a PA system to be connected.

Available in black or white, the SP-280's sleek, curved design will match any home décor; a newly-designed rear panel creates an attractive stage presence as well. And because the SP-280 is designed to be placed anywhere, it was built with portability in mind––it weighs less than 42 pounds, including the stand.

Pricing and Availability:

The Korg SP-280 Digital Piano will be available April 2013 for a U.S. Street price of $699.